Featured Help to identify - What is this?

Item by Drev82 posted Aug 26, 2023 at 5:03 PM

Item by Drev82 posted Aug 26, 2023 at 5:03 PM

Item by Drev82 posted Aug 26, 2023 at 5:03 PM

Hi!

We've hade this piece in the family for as long as I can remember, and I think it was given to my great grandfather Horace Shorter sometime after WW1. He lived in Chobham, Surrey as his life. Unfortunately no one in our family knows anything about it and anyone who could know is dead.

I'd be thrilled of you could give us some clue to what it is. We have opened it and inside are several ribbons with HMS and then different names.

 

I would say it is the equivalent to a shadow box with mementos. The central pieces looks like a miniature ships anchor with side railing.

 

It does appear to be a collection of nautical items. In your first photo, the object on the bottom right is a bosun's (boatswain's) whistle, used to signal commands on ship. I presume you know that HMS stands for "Her (His) Majesty's Ship", and the following name is the ship's name. Was anyone in the family in the British Royal Navy?

If you can post the ship's names on the ribbons we may be able to find out more for you.

These folks might be able to date the whistle for you:
https://maritime-antiques.co.uk/antique-bosuns-whistles-1

 

that's a neat nautical collection !!!!

 

for it's size , that brass anchor is a monster !!!!

 

Hi everyone and thank you so much for all your comments. My great grandfather was indeed in the Royal Navy during WW1. Next time I visit my Mum (where the piece is) I'll see if can find some ship names Will also contact Maritime Antiques to see if they perhaps know more. Thank you again!

 

u might have to investigate one piece at a time....... good luck !!!

 

Found some more information online when searching for records, also had a look at some of the ribbons inside. The ribbons match the ships on his records, so all very interesting. Thanks again for your interest and comments.

 

Ship names on the ribbons are:
HMS Triumph - Date from service record 1906
HMS Edward VII - Date from service record 1911
HMS London - Date from service record 1912
HMS Ganges - Date from service record 1912

 

I will tag 2 members who are good at archival research -
@Figtree3
@Debora

 

My first thought would be to look up records of the ships. For example, this may be the same HMS Triumph, launched in 1903: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Triumph_(1903)

All of the dates given on the ribbons were before WWI. You mentioned that the family has some of his records. Are they service records? If not, you could find out how to get copies of his service records. I'm afraid that I don't know very much about British naval records, but could try to find out if nobody more knowledgeable than I am comments.

 

Hi! I actually attached the records in a previous post, perhaps you can see the PDF-file?

Thank you for your interest!

 

Oh, I didn't open it. Won't really be able to look today.

What is your question again? I thought you were asking what the items are in the first pictures. Was there some other question?

 

I thought of you when the ribbons associated with various ships were mentioned - perhaps more on the ships' histories or where they went. But perhaps that is off topic.

 

Hi! Actually, at first I was just curious what the item was but now I feel I'm well on my way down a rabbit hole It would be interesting if anyone has ever seen a similar piece.